The MP has teamed up with the Times to run the contest, which is open to people aged between 16 and 18 at the end of June 2010 who live in the Botany electorate.
Entrants need to submit an essay of no more than 300 words on the subject “what I would do if I was in Pansy Wong’s shoes for a week”.
All of the entries received will be posted online in a special section at www.times.co.nz.
The winner, who will be chosen by Mrs Wong and Darren Risby, editor of the Times, will secure an all-expenses paid trip to the Beehive in Wellington to take part in the Youth Parliament. The successful entrant’s work will also be published in the Times.
Mrs Wong says: “If you are passionate and committed to our community, you could be the one chosen to take part in Youth Parliament 2010.
“Youth Parliament has taken place in Wellington every three years since 1997, with 122 youth MPs having the chance to ask ministers questions, debate a bill through its first, second and third readings, and examine the bill through the select committee pro-cess. If you think you have what it takes to represent the Botany electorate, then get writing and submit your essay by March 5.”
“This is a great chance for a young person to become a Youth MP,” adds Mr Risby. “We are expecting some great entries from aspiring politicians of the future.”
What it’s all about
YOUTH Parliament is held once every parliamentary term and provides young Kiwis with the chance to learn about our democracy and influence public decision-making.
This year’s event has been provisionally scheduled for July.
Youth Parliament was first held in 1994 to mark the 20th anniversary of the lowering of the voting age to 18. The first one was a short event, which involved young people going to the Beehive for an education day.
Due to its success, the Cabinet invited the Minister of Youth Affairs to hold one every three years from 1997, which was the first year of MMP.
The next Youth Parliaments were held in 2000, 2004 and 2007, with the one in 2004 coinciding with the 150th anniversary of the first sitting of Parliament.
Youth MPs are selected by MPs to represent them.
They are expected to canvass the opinions of their peers on topics to be discussed before they go to the Beehive.
The Government provides some support but Youth MPs, who are given a handbook before they go to Wellington with all the information they need to take part, are expected to be self-starters who can get out and about to talk to a range of people.
While at the Beehive, Youth MPs work together to develop a submission on a bill they consider.
Over two days, they will participate in:
• Question time: Ask questions of ministers.
• First reading: Bring the bill into the Youth Parliament.
• Second reading: When the bill will be discussed in-depth for the first time.
• Select committees of inquiry: The Youth MPs will break into small groups to consider parts of the bill, and then propose amendments to the legislation when they table reports.
• Committee of the house: Bill amendments voted on.
• Third reading: To consider the amended legislation, including a conscience vote.
• Party caucus sessions: These are arranged by individual parties to provide a chance for Youth MPs to discuss how conscience votes are made.
After Youth Parliament, the Youth MPs will continue to support the consultation activities of the Ministry of Youth Development for six months.
Youth MPs should be active in their community, be committed to contributing their best, be passionate about youth issues, politics and/or social change, and reflect the diversity of New Zealand’s youth population.
They also need to be able to seek the views, opinions and ideas of their peers, and represent these at Youth Parliament.
How to enter • Entries must be emailed as a Word attachment, or in the body copy of an email, to editor@times.co.nz by 4pm on March 5. Entries will be posted on a special section of www.times.co.nz. • At the end of the essay, entrants must give their full name, address, date of birth and the school they attend. Only the entrant’s name and school will be published. • Students must be aged between 16 and 18 at the end of June 2010, and live in the Botany electorate. • Essays must not exceed 300 words and need to be on the subject “what I would do if I was in Pansy Wong’s shoes for a week”. The Times reserves the right to accept or decline entries.
